ROHS II and Use of UV Lamps
The ROHS I Directive (2002/95/EC) introduced restrictions on the use of lead,
mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl and
polybrominated diphenyl ether.
As this directive would have also affected UV lamps, an unlimited exemption was put
in place for mercury in discharge lamps, in accordance with Annex III, Category 4f.
With the introduction of ROHS II (2011/65/EU), the exemption for UV lamps was
limited to 21.7.2016.
ROHS II does not define an outright ban, however, and exemptions are still possible.
Large-scale stationary industrial tools thus do not explicitly fall within the scope of
validity. These large-scale stationary industrial tools include, for example, printing
presses and the corresponding installations and equipment. This means UV units
can also continue to be operated from 22.7.2016 onwards. Spare parts distribution is
naturally also guaranteed.
In order to generate investment security, an application was made to the European
Commission for a clear regulation with regard to UV lamps. The aim is to continue or
extend the exemption in place for UV lamps. The Commission has since confirmed
receipt of this application.
To our knowledge, the actual consumption of mercury in the area of UV curing and
disinfection is approx. 156 kg/year in Europe. This corresponds to approx. 0.03% of
consumption each year within the EU.
As mercury can be recycled up to 99.8% in a certified process, the
actual consumption is much lower. One condition here is that the
old lamps are disposed of correctly. For this reason, UV lamps
display the following symbol.
Spent UV lamps can be packed in airtight containers and returned to IST METZ
GmbH for disposal.
 
Nürtingen, March 2015 
 
 
IST METZ GmbH
Lauterstraße 14-18, D-72622 Nürtingen, Telefon +49 70 22 - 60 02-0, Fax +49 70 22 - 60 02-76
Postfach 1409, D-72604 Nürtingen, e-mail: info@ist-uv.com, http://www.ist-uv.com